The Holidays on Ice

Why I stopped celebrating Christmas and other religious holidays.

I grew up in a Catholic household, attended a Catholic elementary school, and had some very religious family members. While my family occasionally attended church in the past, our visits became less frequent by the time I reached my tween years. However, holidays were almost always tied to church and attending mass. From Ash Wednesday to the Immaculate Conception, we observed nearly every event on the liturgical calendar. Sometimes, we even went to mass twice on Christmas Eve. For me, the holidays were synonymous with Catholicism.

Now, I know not everyone grew up this way. Not everyone who celebrates Easter or Christmas is even Christian. But as I transitioned from Catholic school to public school, I began to question the faith I had been taught. When I left home for university, those questions became more profound.